Menopause doesn’t come with a specific list of symptoms that every woman experiences in the same way. Some women barely have symptoms while others get almost all of them. They can also be pretty mild at the beginning, so it can be hard to realize perimenopause is even starting. Not sure what to expect or what to keep an eye out for? Here are some of the most common signs of menopause:

Irregular periods: This might be the most obvious sign. You might start missing a period every now and then or have a change in your cycle or flow.

Hot flashes or night sweats: These are likely due to the fact that estrogen levels are changing in your body. You might all of a sudden feel flushed and hot, start sweating, and then feel chilled. They can be as short as 30 seconds or last as long as 10 minutes.

Vaginal dryness: Also linked to the drop in estrogen levels, this is when the lining of your vagina gets thinner and secretions diminish. As a result, sex can feel uncomfortable.

Trouble sleeping: During perimenopause, you might find it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or go back to sleep if you wake up in the middle of the night.

Mood swings: It’s not entirely clear why feelings of irritability tend to accompany menopause, but it could be linked to feeling tired because of night sweats, stressed that you’re even going through menopause, or the underlying hormonal changes.

Lower libido: The lower levels of estrogen can reduce how much blood is flowing to your vagina or how sensitive it is, so you might find yourself less interested in sex or having a harder time getting aroused. Another issue: You might be nervous about the vaginal dryness, making you less excited about intercourse.